3 days ago
Farm season starting to roll
A cold, wet spring has turned into a warm, dry start to the summer growing season.
Area farmers had trouble getting seed into the ground because of the conditions in May but things are rounding into a better picture for the summer growth season.
Several area growers and an agriculture specialist said the weather has put farmers a week or two behind in their growth spectrum.
Ashtabula County Ohio State University Extension Agent Amanda Barnum said a big concern is the nutritional content of hay, with the first cutting occurring late in the season compared to a normal year.
She said there is a certain height of the hay maximizes nutrition for area animals.
Steve Robinson, of Robinson's Apple Barn in Harpersfield Township, said it was a slow start to the planting season, but it is improving with the warmer weather.
He said the business has been selling tomatoes and strawberries, but his sweet corn first went on sale Thursday. He said it is really good corn.
'Corn and tomatoes love hot weather,' Robinson said.
After the rainy spring, the weather tilted a bit too far the other way for area farmers.
'I need an inch [of rain] every other day,' said Rick Puckrin, who sells his locally-grown produce at area farm markets and to restaurants from his Austinburg Township farm.
He said the rain provides a consistency of quality from the plants.
Puckrin said he started planting April 1, but things got a little too cold and rainy. He said at least 60 degree temperatures 24 hours a day is perfect for growing.
Barnum said the produce operations seem to have good growing results this year. She said apple and peach orchards also seem to be in a good place.
